February 11
Nelson Mandela Released After 27 Years
Summary
Nelson Mandela had been imprisoned since 1962 for his leadership in the African National Congress's campaign against apartheid in South Africa. International pressure, domestic unrest, and secret negotiations with the government of F.W. de Klerk created conditions for his release. On February 11, 1990, Mandela walked free from Victor Verster Prison near Paarl to cheering crowds and global media attention. De Klerk had announced the unbanning of the ANC and Mandela's impending freedom days earlier. Mandela delivered a speech reaffirming commitment to negotiations and non-racial democracy. His release marked the beginning of the end for apartheid and opened talks that led to South Africa's first multiracial elections in 1994.
Why It Matters
Mandela's freedom symbolized the triumph of the anti-apartheid struggle and accelerated the dismantling of South Africa's racial segregation system. It enabled the transition to democracy, with Mandela elected president in 1994, inspiring global human rights movements. The event remains a landmark in the history of civil resistance and reconciliation.
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Sources
- Nelson Mandela released from prison, History.com. Accessed 2026-07-08.